India: 2,496 solar-powered houses to be built in Tiruchi district

As many as 2,496 houses are to be constructed under the Chief Minister’s Solar Powered Green House Scheme in Tiruchi district this year. All the 2,206 green houses sanctioned at an estimated cost of Rs.39.71 crore during 2011-12 have been completed and handed over to the beneficiaries. Of these, 718 houses are located in Chief Minister Jayalalithaa’s Srirangam constituency.

During the current year, 2,496 houses have been sanctioned, and so far 15 units have been completed, according to G.Radha, Project Director, District Rural Development Agency. This year too, 718 houses would be located in the Srirangam constituency.

Of the financial allocation of Rs.1.80 lakhs for each house, Rs.1.50 lakhs is earmarked for civil works and Rs.30,000 for installation of the solar system and lamps. The solar lamps are supplied through the Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency.

Each house has a minimum plinth area of 300 square feet, which includes a verandah, bed room, kitchen and bathroom. Each room is to be provided with solar powered CFL lamps. However, all the houses are also provided regular power connections.

The structures should have toilets with two leach pits mandatorily. Rain water harvesting structures are also mandatory.

Each beneficiary is also provided with five saplings of different species so as to encourage them to maintain greenery around the houses.

Under the Tamil Nadu Village Habitation Improvement (THAI) Scheme, 2,764 works have been sanctioned in the district during the current financial year and so far about 1,034 works have been completed at a cost of Rs.4.75 crore.

The THAI scheme envisages development of infrastructure in hamlets in terms of civic amenities such as drinking water supply, roads, Anganwadi centres, ration shop buildings, threshing yards and games centres.

The State government has allotted Rs.20.20 crore for improving amenities and infrastructure at 500 hamlets in 70 village panchayats in the district for the current year. An additional allotment of Rs.1.74 crore has also been received utilising which about 11 road works would be executed.

During 2011-12, 2,983 works were sanctioned under the scheme in the district and 2,910 works have been completed at an investment of Rs.14.91 crore.

The district was allotted Rs.20.70 crore last year to improve amenities in 734 hamlets in 69 village panchayats during 2011-12.

Officials said drinking water supply has been ensured for all residents in the hamlets where the scheme was implemented. Similarly, their requirements in terms of roads and burial grounds have also been fully met.